Maryland – In a harrowing case in Maryland, a 37-year-old mother, identified as M. Colgan, has been charged with the first-degree murder of her 3-month-old daughter. The tragedy unfolded in their family home, leading to an immediate and intensive investigation by local authorities.
The events began to unravel on a seemingly ordinary Sunday when the police department received a distressing 911 call from Colgan herself, shortly after noon on December 8, 2024. In the call, Colgan shockingly admitted to drowning her infant daughter during what was supposed to be a routine bath. Responding quickly, first responders rushed to the family’s residence, where they found the young child in a dire condition. Despite their efforts, the girl was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, marking a grim end to her brief life.
According to the police report, the incident was precipitated by Colgan taking the baby from other family members at around 11:40 a.m., informing them she intended to bathe the child. Roughly 20 minutes later, Colgan emerged downstairs, abruptly informing her husband that their daughter was dead. The father’s desperate attempts at CPR were futile, and he urged Colgan to call for emergency services.
Upon her arrest and during the subsequent police interview—conducted after advising her of her rights—Colgan made a chilling confession. She revealed that she had woken up that day with a devastating plan to “end everything,” which included taking the lives of her two children and her husband. The details she provided were stark; she described how she deliberately filled a baby bath, placed it in a larger tub, and methodically drowned the baby by holding her head under the water. According to police reports “She said that she turned the baby to face away from her and held the victim’s head under the water until she knew the victim was dead.” Adding to the horror, Colgan disclosed that after the act, she contemplated suicide by jumping out of a window but decided against it at the last moment. Instead, she chose to confess her actions to her husband, effectively shattering their family.
Colgan was promptly arrested and charged with first-degree murder. She is currently held at the county’s jail, awaiting a mental health evaluation before her initial court appearance. The case, due to its nature and the defendant’s background as a mental health professional, has stirred considerable public and media attention, raising questions about mental health, parental responsibilities, and safety measures for children.
The body of the deceased infant was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy scheduled for the following day, to conclusively determine the cause and manner of death. This procedure is expected to provide further evidence in what promises to be a closely watched legal battle. As the community grapples with this tragic event, the focus has also turned to the broader implications for child safety and the mechanisms in place to prevent such unspeakable acts. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles individuals may face and the devastating impact these can have on the most vulnerable. The ongoing investigation and forthcoming trial are anticipated to not only seek justice for the young victim but also to shed light on measures to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
